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Converting Hasegawa's A-4M to an A-4E

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  • Member since
    August 2017
Converting Hasegawa's A-4M to an A-4E
Posted by laskdjn on Thursday, March 1, 2018 5:04 PM

So, say I wanted to take Hasegawa's A-4M and convert it to an earlier Vietnam version, an A-4E, from what I've gathered, I'd need to alter the intakes, vertical stabilizer, canopy, nose, aerial refueling probe, and what else?

 

I could also just do the Hobby Boss one, but I heard that one wasn't very accurate and it didn't come with the ability to position the slats down as was the correct position for an aircraft on the ground.

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
Posted by rangerj on Thursday, March 1, 2018 5:58 PM

Revell/Monogram issued an E/F that was a reboxing of the Hasagawa kit in Blue Angle colors. It is a great E/F kit and less money than the Hasagawa kit. There are a few other A-4 E/F kits that are also good. 

  • Member since
    August 2017
Posted by laskdjn on Thursday, March 1, 2018 6:32 PM

Thanks, didn't know that Revell's A-4E/F was a reboxing of Hasegawa's A-4.  Still doesn't answer my question, though.

 

Also, aside from Hobby Boss, what are the other A-4E/F?  I think there's an Italeri one...

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, March 1, 2018 7:11 PM

There are two Revell/Monogram A-4 molds out there- the Pro Modeler issue is a re-box of the Hasegawa molds. Any other boxings are likely the older Monogram A-4 E/F molds. The Italeri kit is a reissue of the old ESCI kit. There is also a family of A-4 kits by Hobbycraft in 1/48. And the older Fujimi kits that have also been released by Testors. And you might run across the ancient Lindberg A-4 kit as well. I don’t know if Trumpeter/Hobbyboss has covered the A-4 yet in 1/48.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, March 1, 2018 7:17 PM

And yes, the areas that you mention, among others, are the main ones that would need to be addressed to backdate a M to a E/F. But there are plenty of E/F kits available, so why not just get one and have both?

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    August 2017
Posted by laskdjn on Friday, March 2, 2018 2:46 PM

stikpusher

And yes, the areas that you mention, among others, are the main ones that would need to be addressed to backdate a M to a E/F. But there are plenty of E/F kits available, so why not just get one and have both?

 

The accuracy of those E kits are questionable

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, March 2, 2018 5:22 PM

The best 1/48 A-4E/F kits currently available are the Hasegawa kits. But like Hobbycraft, they opted to make several versions from some common parts such as the wings and basic fuselage, so they have parts and panels that are mix and match so to speak, and also require some filling and drilling as needed depending upon the version. 

The Hobbycraft kits are not bad, but the cockpit needs help. The Monogram kit is good for its age, but does have raised panel lines. The ESCI kit has a mix of raised and recessed detail, and again the cockpit needs work. I have not seen in person or built the Trumpeter/Hobbyboss kit, so I can’t comment on that one. The others I’ve built, and/or are in my stash.

Depending upon which era of E/F Vietnam Scooter (Rolling Thunder, ”Bombing Halt”, Linebacker) you want to make, as more lumps, bumps, antennas, etc. were added, that will obviously influence what mods to make. 

 

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    June 2017
Posted by Chemteacher on Saturday, March 3, 2018 8:48 AM
I have the old ESCI kit in the stash. Except for the cockpit, it appears to be a pretty good kit.

On the bench: Revell-USS Arizona; Airfix P-51D in 1/72

  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by Darren Roberts on Saturday, March 3, 2018 2:27 PM

Converting the Hasegawa M into an E/F can be done, but it will take quite a bit of effort. The best thing to do is try and find a Hasegawa E/F on the secondary market. I picked one up for $20 at a show. If you can't find that, try to find the R/M ProModeler kit. As others have posted above, make sure it's the ProModeler release. All others are the original Monogram kit, which really isn't all that bad. The ESCI builds up quite nicely as well. It does need a cockpit/seat. I would rank the Hobbyboss kit second, even though it doesn't have the dropped slats/flaps. If you can pick up a cheap Monogram kit, you can graft the slats and flaps on. It would be less work than trying to convert the Hasegawa M into an E/F. Here's an HB kit that I did that to.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, March 3, 2018 8:23 PM

Another way to get the Hasegawa E/F Scooter is to get the Eduard kits. They are the Hasegawa plastic with Eduard goodies added.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by Darren Roberts on Sunday, March 4, 2018 5:34 PM

Forgot about that! Budget-wise, those will be pretty pricey, though.

  • Member since
    August 2017
Posted by laskdjn on Monday, March 5, 2018 8:51 AM

stikpusher

Another way to get the Hasegawa E/F Scooter is to get the Eduard kits. They are the Hasegawa plastic with Eduard goodies added.

 

Awesome, thanks for the tip, I'll look into that.

  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by Darren Roberts on Saturday, March 10, 2018 4:44 PM

I found a Hasegawa E/F at a show today. If you're in the US and would like it, send me an email at droberts9799@comcast.net

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Saturday, March 10, 2018 7:53 PM

Another change starting from the A-4F was the fixed portion of wing above the flap was changed to a moveable spoiler. Up to the A-4E it was just the split flap.

I think nosewheel steering was also introduced on the F model.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    August 2017
Posted by laskdjn on Saturday, March 10, 2018 10:44 PM

Darren Roberts

I found a Hasegawa E/F at a show today. If you're in the US and would like it, send me an email at droberts9799@comcast.net

 

I'm actually out in California, I'll send you an email in a bit.

  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by Darren Roberts on Sunday, March 11, 2018 12:43 PM
Roger that. No hurry. It's not going anywhere. In fact, I had you in mind when I saw it.
  • Member since
    January 2009
Posted by F-8fanatic on Friday, July 6, 2018 3:45 PM

Real G

Another change starting from the A-4F was the fixed portion of wing above the flap was changed to a moveable spoiler. Up to the A-4E it was just the split flap.

I think nosewheel steering was also introduced on the F model.

 

 

The -F brought the following changes as compared to the -E

1--nose wheel steering added

2--upgraded ejection seat

3--avionics hump behind the canopy--not all -F's were built with this, some had it added after production.  The hump was also fitted to all remaining -E's and even some -C's.

4--the refueling probe was changed to a "bent" probe, this was done to get it out of the way of forward looking avionics sensors.

5--wing lift spoilers installed

 

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